Page 19 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

“It's funny that you say that because you’re nothing like I thought you’d be either. After listening to shit through the wall for three months that rivaled a porn site, I couldn’t put that uh…voice, with you.”

Auden sits up abruptly. “Wait, what?”

Holy shit, she hasnoidea. No wonder she looked at me like I was insane the day I asked to keep the noise down so I could sleep in. I guess Hudson was right.

“My room, I guess, is wall to wall with dickhead’s, and whoever he was sleeping with was so loud that she made it fucking impossible to sleep. And not just a few moans here and there, or the headboard hitting the wall. It was practically the scene of an amateur porno. I thought he was your boyfriend for the longest time, and therefore, I thought all the screeching, fake orgasms, and dirty talk I heard through my wall belonged to you.” I chuckle.

Her jaw completely drops, her face a mask of shock. “Oh my God.That asshole. I had no idea that he was having anyone over like that. It must have been when we weren’t in the apartment, because I had no idea. I’d never let that happen with Alex here, I swear.” She cries, covering her face. “It was absolutely not me, and I’msoembarrassed.”

When she lifts her head, but doesn’t look me in the eye, the flush on her face is all the way down to her neck. “I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged. “I beat on the wall a few times. I’m just glad he’s gone and not bothering you or Alex anymore.”

She nods. “Me too. He, uh, skipped out on the rent too. I got a text from him saying I can, and I quote, “go fuck myself and pay the rent myself.”

What a piece of shit. Can’t saying I’m fucking surprised, but damn, a real man would’ve taken care of his responsibility.

“Want me to find him?” I’m joking…but also not.

“I just never want to have to deal with him again. Uh, be right back, going to pour a little more wine. Would you like a glass?” she asks, rising from the couch.

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”

Shamelessly, I watch as her hips sway, carrying her into the kitchen. I can hear her uncork the wine and refill her glass, then place the bottle into the recycle, so I lean back, and put my arm across the back of the couch.

When she walks back through the door, her cheeks are still flushed red from her wine, or her nerves. Probably a mixture of both. She sits next to me and takes a small sip.

“It was so hard to find a roommate in the first place that is reliable, passes a background and credit check and is okay with sharing their space with an eight-year-old. It took me over a month even to find Jarrett, and he checked all of the right boxes. It started off fine but then look what happened. Now I’m just…I’m worried I won’t be able to find anyone else. I can’t afford this ridiculous rent on top of Alex’s tuition.”

Fuck. I wish there was something I could do to help her. I don’t want her to ever have to go through the shit she just went through again. Her or Alex.

And if it’s another guy like that asshole…

Fuck no.

Maybe I could help her find someone through Hudson’s realtor. I’m sure they’re bound to know someone who needs is looking to rent, or need a room-

Wait…

Auden needs a roommate…and, technically, so do I. Hudson’s moving out, and fuck, what ifImoved next door? It would easily solve her issues, and I hate being alone anyway. This could potentially be the worst idea I’ve ever had, but fuck…Maybe the best one, too.

“I’ll be your roommate.”

She sputters back into the cup, slightly choking on the mouthful of wine. Using her fingers, she wipes the drops from her lips. “Excuse me?”

“You need a roommate, and mine’s moving out. Problem solved.”

“Y-you say it like it’s so simple. We can’t just…move in…be roommates together.” She waves her hands between the two of us with wide eyes.

Abandoning the wine on the coffee table, she shoots up from the couch and begins to pace. Another thing I’ve noticed she does when she's nervous or overwhelmed, and yet another thing that makes me want to kiss her until she’s breathless.

I’ve got it bad, Hudson’s right. And offering to be her roommate? Fuck.

I shouldn’t, but I also don’t give a shit. I want to help her and I want to be close to her at the same time.

I stand and stroll over to her, grasping her shoulders, then lifting her chin to look at me. “Breathe. Listen, you need a roommate. You said it yourself, you searched for over a month for someone who didn’t work out, and now you don't have time to search again. So don’t.”

She looks at me like I’ve grown another head and shakes her head, her fiery red hair falling in her eyes. “But we barely know each other, Asher.”

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